Death of Darkness

by Dianne Duvall

  David laughed.

  “Stop laughing, damn it.”

  “I haven’t spent time alone with a woman in almost as many millennia as you, so if you’re wondering what she might like to do, I’m not the best person to ask.”

  Seth reached out to Zach telepathically. Zach.

  What?

  What does Lisette like to do when you two have downtime together?

  Make love.

  Aside from that.

  Dance.

  Seth sure as hell wouldn’t mind dancing with Leah again, but didn’t trust himself to put his hands on her. Best to omit that option. Anything else?

  Watch movies or sports.

  He looked at David. “Do you think she’d like to watch a movie?”

  David shrugged. “I don’t know. Ask her. She’s just looking for something to take her mind off what’s burdening her.”

  The car halted.

  “Do you know what’s burdening her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you tell me what it is?” Seth wasn’t ready to delve into the significance of his not wanting to read her thoughts himself and hoped David would just assume recent difficulties had left him weary of employing his telepathy.

  “No. If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you herself.” David gave Seth a pat on the back, then strolled toward the hallway. “I’m going to head down and spend some time with the little ones to give you two some privacy.”

  Seth’s mind raced so rampantly that it took him a moment to realize what David had said. He turned just as the other man disappeared into the basement stairwell. “Privacy to do what?”

  A laugh rumbled up the steps. “That is for you to decide.”

  Footsteps sounded on the front sidewalk. The doorbell rang.

  Excitement set Seth’s pulse to racing as he opened the front door. Sure enough, Leah stood there, as beautiful as he remembered in a pair of snug-fitting jeans and a sweater that molded itself to her full breasts and narrow waist. Over that she wore a blazer. Her long brown hair lifted and floated on a cool breeze that added some pink to her nose and cheeks.

  When she saw him, her face lit up with an infectious smile, and her heartbeat increased as much as his own had. “Hi, Seth.”

  He smiled back. And he wondered once more why being with her always seemed to make the tension just melt right out of him. The tightness in his shoulders eased and uncertainty fled, replaced by pleasure. “Leah. What a wonderful surprise.” The words left his lips before he could ponder the wisdom of speaking them.

  Her own smile turned self-deprecating. “I shouldn’t have dropped by like this. I’m sorry. I just…” She held up a pink unicorn. “Sheldon called earlier. He couldn’t find Adira’s unicorn and was worried that she wouldn’t be able to sleep without it.”

  David’s words floated back to him. She has another reason for coming but is merely using it as an excuse to see you again.

  He took the small toy she offered, his fingers brushing hers. “You drove all this way to bring it to her? How kind of you. Come in. Please.”

  She stepped inside. Her hazel eyes—more green than brown tonight—widened as she looked around. “Wow. This place is huge.”

  Chuckling, he closed the door. “May I take your jacket?”

  Still staring at the living room with its multitude of sofas, love seats, and wingback chairs, then the dining room table that could seat over thirty people, she nodded absently.

  Seth moved to stand behind her and helped her remove her blazer, waiting patiently as she switched her keys and purse strap from one hand to the other. He loved her scent. No perfume. Just Leah with a hint of the outdoors.

  After hanging her jacket on one of the many pegs that lined the long coatrack, he turned and found her watching him.

  “How many people live here?”

  He smiled. “Many of the men and women who work for me either have no families of their own or have cut ties with them because their families… well…”

  “Suck?” she supplied helpfully.

  He chuckled. “Yes. So David and I always leave our doors open and issue a standing invitation for them to come and spend time together. Our particular line of work often includes odd hours that make socialization difficult.” He motioned to the large living room and dining room. “This helps them feel less alone.”

  “That’s so nice. I’ve heard of businesses that offer perks like free gyms and daycare to make their employees feel like a more close-knit group… but this takes it way above and beyond that. You open your home to them.”

  “It goes both ways. While this alleviates their loneliness, it also alleviates mine and David’s.” Unable to resist the urge, he touched her arm briefly. “Will you excuse me for a moment while I take this down to Adira?”

  “Of course.”

  He gestured toward the sofas. “Please, make yourself at home.” Hopefully, no Immortal Guardians would stride through the door, covered in blood, while he was gone… or worse, teleport in and abruptly appear right in front of her.

  Light, swift footsteps sounded in the basement stairwell, followed by heavy boots.

  Seth looked toward the hallway.

  Giggles erupted as Adira and Michael emerged and ran forward.

  David spoke in Seth’s mind. Adira knows Leah brought her unicorn toy. I didn’t have the heart to stop them.

  Marcus and Ami’s extraordinary daughter bore many special gifts they were still discovering. Since they suspected telepathy was one of them, she had likely read Leah’s thoughts as soon as Leah entered the house.

  Sheldon jogged out of the hallway, following the children. His face brightened when he saw Leah and the unicorn Seth held. “Hey! You brought it!” Relief and pleasure filled his features. “Wow. I can’t believe you did that. Thank you, Leah. You’re a lifesaver.”

  When it looked as though Sheldon would continue forward and sweep Leah into a hug, Seth shot him a glare. Touch her and die. Just the idea of the strapping young human male putting his hands on Leah sent jealousy coursing through Seth, which was totally irrational because he knew Sheldon loved Tracy.

  Sheldon jerked to a halt. His face paled as his eyes widened.

  Seth was dimly aware of Adira reclaiming her unicorn and saying something to Leah.

  Sheldon raised an index finger to scratch his temple, glanced swiftly at Leah, then tapped his cheek below one eye, drawing Seth’s attention to it.

  Seth saw his reflection in it, caught the bright golden glow of his own eyes, and closed them with a silent curse. Really? Jealous fury? Over so little? How many times since he’d met Leah had he asked himself what the hell was wrong with him?

  When Seth opened his eyes once more, Sheldon nodded that the glow was gone.

  Leah had dropped to one knee to accept a hug from Adira and apparently hadn’t caught Seth’s slip. “You’re very welcome, sweetie,” she said with a smile.

  Michael hung back, still a little shy and withdrawn around anyone he didn’t see on a daily basis.

  “All right, you two.” Sheldon moved forward and herded the toddlers away as soon as Adira released Leah. “Let’s head back down so we can hear the end of David’s story. I want to find out what happens to the lion.” He started back through the living room and down the hallway, a child on each side of him, holding his hands. “Thanks again, Leah,” he called over his shoulder.

  “You’re welcome.”

  At the last second, Adira released Sheldon, then ran back to Seth, her arms outstretched.

  Smiling, Seth picked her up and hugged her.

  “Night-night, Baba.”

  “Night-night, poppet.” He kissed her cheek, then set her down.

  Adira took Leah’s hand and put it in Seth’s.

  Seth’s skin tingled as Leah wove her fingers between his own.

  Satisfied, the little girl raced back to where Sheldon and Michael waited by the basement stairwell.

  Sheldon stared at their clasped hands, then looked at Seth
.

  Tell anyone and—

  You’ll kick my butt, Sheldon thought, interrupting Seth’s mental warning. Got it.

  Quiet descended after the trio left.

  Leah sent Seth a wry smile and gave his hand a squeeze. “It’s weird that I’m here, right?”

  Only because David had said she’d come to see him.

  He shook his head. “People drop by all the time. I don’t want you to feel weird about it.” He tilted his head to one side. “Although I admit to being curious as to how you found us.” Unwilling to break the contact just yet, he slid his thumb back and forth over her soft skin.

  Did her heartbeat increase a little at the light caress?

  “Sheldon signed Ami up for a year of Little Gifts Baskets,” she said. “I ship one every month and try to tailor each basket to the individual subscriber, putting things in there not just for the child or children but for the mom or dad, too. He used this address when he did.”

  Seth tried to muster up some anger over Sheldon’s having given out David’s home address but couldn’t. It had facilitated Leah’s visit.

  Looking a tad chagrined, she wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “Driving out here to return the toy seemed like a good idea at the time, but now it just feels creepy and stalkerish.”

  Seth laughed. “It isn’t creepy and stalkerish. I enjoy your company too much for it to be.”

  “Really? Because I would be freaking out a little if someone did this to me.”

  “I’m not freaking out. It truly was a pleasant surprise.”

  Her lips turned up in a smile. “Remember how I said I’m a total workaholic?”

  “Yes.” Now her thumb stroked his hand, sending warmth all the way up his arm, through his shoulder, and into his chest.

  “Well, I’ve been trying to ease back on that a little lately, but it’s been so long that I have no idea what to do with downtime.”

  “I understand completely. David has been insisting I delegate more authority lately and take some time off, but…” He shrugged. “When I’m not working, I always feel like I should be working and find myself at loose ends.”

  “Exactly! This is going to sound lame, but… I don’t get out much. And tonight, when the walls started closing in on me, I figured a drive in the country might be nice because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. Then I got here, you opened the door, and I thought: Oh crap, he’s going to think I’m a total stalker.”

  “Not at all.” Seth raised their clasped hands and grinned. “I merely assumed you wanted to see my big hands again.”

  Laughing, she gave his shoulder a shove. “You’re such a tease!”

  His heart lightened. “Admitted without shame.”

  “Well, I’ll forgive you,” she quipped, “because you’re letting me hold your hand.” Drawing their clasped hands closer to her face, she cupped her free hand over them and smoothed circles over his as she assumed a comical expression of amazement. “Oooooooh. So big,” she breathed.

  Seth laughed.

  When Leah looked past his shoulder, he turned to find David strolling up the hallway toward them.

  Leah hastily released Seth’s hand, looking as guilty as a little girl who had been caught sneaking a cookie right before dinnertime.

  David smiled. “Good evening, Leah. What a wonderful surprise.”

  Smiling back, she offered him a little wave. “Hi, David.”

  “I apologize for interrupting, but I’ve been called away and need to retrieve my coat.”

  Seth frowned as David lifted his coat off the rack by the door. “Am I needed?”

  “No.” David was careful not to allow Leah to glimpse the multitude of weapons that adorned the interior of his coat as he donned it. He had removed them all before visiting her store, as had Seth. “I’ll take care of it.” Bastien called. He and Cliff captured several vampires. Bastien wants me to read their minds before he turns Cliff loose on them. He looked at Leah. “This is Seth’s night off. I’m afraid he doesn’t know what to do with himself in the rare instances he finds some free time, so he keeps volunteering to work.”

  Leah nudged Seth with her shoulder. “Him and me both.”

  David gave her a little bow. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Nice to see you, too.”

  The door closed behind him.

  Seth looked down at Leah.

  “So,” she said.

  He cocked a brow. “So?”

  “Looks like we’re just a couple of workaholics who have no clue what to do with ourselves.”

  “Apparently so.”

  “Any ideas?”

  Quite a few, but they all seemed to revolve around the two of them getting naked. “No. What about you?”

  She laughed. “Not a one. But I’m sure we can come up with something.”

  Sean Linz threw a dagger that buried itself in a vampire’s neck, then swung his katana at another opponent in front of him. Clangs, growls, grunts, and cries of pain disrupted the quiet college campus as he, Krysta, and Étienne fought an astoundingly large vampire crew that had descended upon UNC Chapel Hill.

  There must be almost two dozen of them. If Sean’s nose hadn’t warned him otherwise, he would’ve thought they were frat boys out making mischief when he first saw them. But their bloody clothing had given them away.

  As Sean sliced up the vampire in front of him, another circled around behind him and tried to hamstring him. Sean shifted at the last moment, grunting when the blade cut across his outer thigh. Decapitating the vampire in front of him with a swipe of his blade, he spun around to confront the asshole behind him.

  These vamps all appeared to be newly turned. Most still retained enough of their sanity to look a little nervous when their companions began to fall beneath the Immortal Guardians’ blades.

  Not so confident now, are you, dipshits? Sean thought.

  He spared his sister a quick glance to see how she fared.

  Krysta was kicking ass as usual, thanks to her ability to see auras.

  Her husband, Étienne, grunted as a gash opened on his cheek.

  “Stop watching me, damn it,” Krysta snapped, “and keep your eyes on your opponent.”

  “Watching you kick ass,” Étienne gritted out, “is far more entertaining.”

  Both seemed to be holding their own.

  The body of Sean’s latest foe hit the ground and began to shrivel up at his feet.

  “Sean?” Krysta called. “How you doing over there?”

  “I’m good,” he answered, opening the carotid artery of his next opponent.

  Panic lit the vampire’s glowing blue eyes as he stumbled backward, dropped his long bowie knife, and tried to stem the rapid flow of blood. One of his fellow vampires didn’t move out of the way fast enough and accidently stabbed the vamp in the back.

  Sean saluted him. “Thank you.” He turned to face the vampire behind him.

  The vampire’s gray eyes lost their glow as they rolled back in his head. His bowie knives clattered to the pavement as he sank to the ground, a tranquilizer dart protruding from his chest.

  Nicole. He should’ve known his Second would shadow them. She had minor precognitive abilities like Melanie and had warned him earlier that she had a bad feeling about tonight.

  Something flew past Sean’s left ear with a thwit.

  He spun to find the vampire who had accidently stabbed his friend lunging toward him with his blade raised high.

  The vamp stopped short and frowned down at the dart sticking out of his chest. Then his eyes rolled back and he sank to the ground, too.

  “Damn it!” Krysta shouted suddenly.

  “They’re running,” Étienne announced with disgust, “the bloody cowards.”

  Sean looked around. Sure enough, seven vampires had taken off, streaking away with preternatural speed. One jerked to a halt and sank to the ground, thanks to another dart fired by Nicole. “Go,” he told the couple. “I’ll take care of these.”

  Krysta sho
ok her head. “Seth said not to—”

  “I’m not alone. Nicole is backing me up.”

  As if on cue, a dart struck one of the four remaining vampires in the neck.

  “See? I’ll be fine. Don’t let those bastards get away.”

  Though both looked uncertain, Krysta and Étienne took off after the others, leaving his sight within seconds.

  Two of the vampires who remained behind struck Sean in tandem while the third, wearing a baseball cap, hung back and bided his time. Nicole took out one of the two Sean fought with a dart before the bastard could sneak around and attack his back. Sean wounded the second, then turned and faced the third.

  The vampire lifted his head, the bill of his cap revealing his features.

  Shock rippled through Sean, freezing him in place. It was a woman. A slender woman who couldn’t be more than twenty-two or twenty-three years old, wearing too-big clothes that concealed her sex.

  Her eyes glowed green as rage darkened her pretty features.

  “Oh shit,” he heard Nicole whisper somewhere behind him.

  The woman’s hands tightened around the hilts of the deadly katanas she wielded. Her fangs gleamed in the moonlight.

  Sean stared in horror. A female vampire? He had never fought a female vampire before. He’d never even seen one. Insanity usually drove male vampires to kill the human women they captured long before the women could complete the transformation. But Gershom had implanted commands in the local vampires’ minds, compelling many of them to turn more humans.

  If a vampire who hadn’t yet surrendered to the madness had caught this woman, it was totally plausible that he had still been sane enough not to lose it and kill her before she transformed.

  Sean’s stomach churned. The idea of decapitating this woman sickened him.

  Could she be one of the missing immortals? One of Gershom’s own private army perhaps? The green eyes made that highly unlikely. All immortals had brown eyes that glowed amber. There had only been one exception in thousands of years, so—

  The woman ducked to the side, dodging a tranquilizer dart. Then dodged another. And another.

  He gaped. Holy shit, she was fast! No way was this woman a vampire. “Call Seth!” he ordered.